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Articles for Kumanjayi, search results for territory

Inquest into toddler's drowning death exposes 'astonishing', 'disturbing' and 'inexcusable' council failures
1 month, 1 week ago

Inquest into toddler's drowning death exposes 'astonishing', 'disturbing' and 'inexcusable' council failures

ABC  

An inquest into the accidental drowning death of a toddler in Kintore in 2020 has identified "astonishing", "disturbing" and "inexcusable" failures by the MacDonnell Regional Council. As the group was leaving the pool, Ms Armitage said team leader Paula Nadas did "a scan of the area and located all six children" before becoming distracted. Ms Armitage said moments later, lifeguard …

Risk Council Pool Armitage Eliza Goetze Six Children Kumanjayi
Deborah and Joshua Mason admit to criminal cover-up of fatal hit-and-run on the Stuart Highway
1 year, 4 months ago

Deborah and Joshua Mason admit to criminal cover-up of fatal hit-and-run on the Stuart Highway

ABC  

A mother and son duo who tried to cover up the hit-and-run death of an Aboriginal woman, by moving and burying most of her body in Darwin’s rural area, have pleaded guilty to a string of serious charges. Key points: A human leg was found on the side of the Stuart Highway last year, sparking a search for remains Kumanjayi …

Court Body Highway Mother His Mother Her Body Darwin
Walker inquest hears every NT government agency, service provider to be reviewed for systemic racism
1 year, 9 months ago

Walker inquest hears every NT government agency, service provider to be reviewed for systemic racism

ABC  

Northern Territory government agencies and service providers will be under a microscope as the Aboriginal Justice Unit reviews all departments for evidence of systemic racism, the NT coroner has heard. Key points: Leanne Liddle says she had seen "many" examples of systemic racism in the NT Police Force She told the NT coroner all NT government departments would be reviewed …

Told Force Walker Inquest Systemic Racism Aboriginal Coroner
Northern Territory police need 300 more officers, Deputy Commissioner Murray Smalpage tells Kumanjayi Walker inquest
1 year, 9 months ago

Northern Territory police need 300 more officers, Deputy Commissioner Murray Smalpage tells Kumanjayi Walker inquest

ABC  

The demand on Northern Territory police "regularly exceeds" the capabilities of the force, after a 30 per cent increase in overall crime over the last decade, according to Deputy Commissioner Murray Smalpage. Key points: Deputy Commissioner Smalpage says the NT Police sometimes "struggles" to respond to the demand on the service He say it's "integral" that police have guns He …

Crime Family Remote Officers Deputy Walker Northern Territory
NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker attends final day of Kumanjayi Walker coronial inquest hearings for the year
2 years ago

NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker attends final day of Kumanjayi Walker coronial inquest hearings for the year

ABC  

On the final day of this year's sittings of the inquest into the death of Kumanjayi Walker, Northern Territory Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker attended the hearings for the first time to "acknowledge" the proceedings. Key points: Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker spent time speaking to members of Kumanjayi Walker's family before attending court He spent a few minutes listening to the …

Community Commissioner Final Walker Inquest Mr Walker Final Day
Police with military training 'more comfortable' using force, Kumanjayi Walker inquest hears
2 years, 1 month ago

Police with military training 'more comfortable' using force, Kumanjayi Walker inquest hears

ABC  

Police officers who have military training are "more comfortable" using force than their colleagues without, the Northern Territory coroner has heard. Key points: Retired commander David Proctor carried out the early coronial investigations into the shooting He said police with a military background did not necessarily use force more often than those without The coroner heard Constable Zachary Rolfe’s 46 …

Military Incidents Officers Force Walker Police Officers Inquest
Yuendumu community calls for drastic changes to the justice system in meetings with NT coroner
2 years, 1 month ago

Yuendumu community calls for drastic changes to the justice system in meetings with NT coroner

ABC  

Kumanjayi Walker's community have made passionate and clear recommendations about their experience with Western law to the Northern Territory coroner during a series of meetings in Yuendumu. Key points: NT coroner Elisabeth Armitage spent two days in Yuendumu, meeting with Kumanjayi Walker’s family The Warlpiri community hoped to educate the coroner about cultural practices Constable Zachary Rolfe, who shot Mr …

Community Justice Court Inquest Coroner Three Years Mr Walker
Northern Territory coroner visits Yuendumu, as Kumanjayi Walker inquest resumes after break over anniversary of fatal shooting
2 years, 1 month ago

Northern Territory coroner visits Yuendumu, as Kumanjayi Walker inquest resumes after break over anniversary of fatal shooting

ABC  

Along a rough highway in Central Australia, lonely metal road signs are surrounded by red dirt dotted with dry grass, wildflowers and wrecked cars. Key points: Coroner Elisabeth Armitage was invited by Yuendumu elders to visit the community The inquest into the death of Kumanjayi Walker resumes today, after a week-long break Constable Zachary Rolfe is scheduled to give evidence …

Community Death House Visit Walker Inquest Coroner
Zachary Rolfe 'unlikely' to have been recommended for NT Police if 'omissions' from application were known
2 years, 1 month ago

Zachary Rolfe 'unlikely' to have been recommended for NT Police if 'omissions' from application were known

ABC  

Zachary Rolfe was "unlikely" to have been recommended for the Northern Territory Police Force if recruiters had known he left previous disciplinary action in the Australian Army off his application, the coroner has been told. Key points: Constable Rolfe did not disclose prior ADF disciplinary action in his application to the NT Police Force He also failed, initially, to disclose …

Application Told Queensland Van Coroner Queensland Police Townsville
NT Police officer Jody Nobbs stands by decision to 'deceive' Yuendumu community on night Kumanjayi Walker died
2 years, 1 month ago

NT Police officer Jody Nobbs stands by decision to 'deceive' Yuendumu community on night Kumanjayi Walker died

ABC  

A senior Northern Territory police officer has stood by his decision not to tell the Yuendumu community that Kumanjayi Walker had died, despite numerous pleas for information from his family waiting outside the police station. Key points: Superintendent Jody Nobbs told officers not to tell Kumanjayi Walker's family he had died He told the court he was concerned about "cultural …

Community Court Told Officer Walker Died Superintendent
NT coroner shown 'distressing' video of the moment Kumanjayi Walker's family was informed of his death
2 years, 1 month ago

NT coroner shown 'distressing' video of the moment Kumanjayi Walker's family was informed of his death

ABC  

"Distressing" video of the moment Kumanjayi Walker's family members were informed of his death has been played to the Northern Territory coroner, in which police are heard urging emotional loved ones not to get "angry" and calling the deceased Mr Walker by the wrong name. Key points: In the body-worn video, Sergeant Meacham King can be heard informing Kumanjayi Walker's …

Family Death Video Shooting Told Walker King
Kumanjayi Walker inquest shown body-worn camera footage of previous 'use of force' incidents
2 years, 2 months ago

Kumanjayi Walker inquest shown body-worn camera footage of previous 'use of force' incidents

ABC  

The Northern Territory coroner has been shown body-worn camera footage of Constable Zachary Rolfe allegedly using force against an Indigenous man in Alice Springs, about one month before Kumanjayi Walker was fatally shot in Yuendumu. Key points: Body-worn camera footage shows officers rushing towards a man in Alice Springs and tackling him to the ground Sergeant Evan Kelly told the …

Camera Man Told Force Walker Coroner Footage
Constable Zachary Rolfe asked if body-worn cameras were on after Kumanjayi Walker's death, inquest hears
2 years, 2 months ago

Constable Zachary Rolfe asked if body-worn cameras were on after Kumanjayi Walker's death, inquest hears

ABC  

Constable Zachary Rolfe asked colleagues if their body-worn cameras were on as they gathered in the Yuendumu police station hours after Kumanjayi Walker died, an inquest into the shooting death has heard. Key points: For 14-minutes on the evening of Kumanjayi Walker's death, a police officer's body-worn camera was switched off Sergeant Adam Donaldson says he can't remember what was …

Welfare Told Walker Inquest Donaldson Zach Coroner
Constable James Kirstenfeldt tells Kumanjayi Walker inquest 'better' arrest plan could have avoided tragedy
2 years, 2 months ago

Constable James Kirstenfeldt tells Kumanjayi Walker inquest 'better' arrest plan could have avoided tragedy

ABC  

The attempted arrest of Kumanjayi Walker was "very much a failure" and should have involved better planning, clear communication and a risk assessment, a member of the arrest team has told the Northern Territory coroner. Key points: A member of the immediate response team says a risk assessment and formal briefing should have occurred Constable James Kirstenfeldt rejected suggestions he …

Plan Officers Better Walker Arrest Inquest Heard
NT Police Officer Adam Eberl tells Kumanjayi Walker inquest he regrets 'unprofessional' comment made in Yuendumu
2 years, 2 months ago

NT Police Officer Adam Eberl tells Kumanjayi Walker inquest he regrets 'unprofessional' comment made in Yuendumu

ABC  

A police officer has told the Northern Territory coroner he "regrets" making an "unprofessional" comment to a member of the Yuendumu community, minutes before Kumanjayi Walker was fatally shot. Key points: Adam Eberl was deployed to Yuendumu alongside Zachary Rolfe on the night of Kumanjayi Walker's death He told the inquest he regrets making a comment that "would have been …

Community Told Officer Officers Walker Coroner Sergeant
Kumanjayi Walker inquest no longer starting in Yuendumu at family's request
2 years, 4 months ago

Kumanjayi Walker inquest no longer starting in Yuendumu at family's request

ABC  

The inquest into the death of 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker, who was shot by a Northern Territory police officer in 2019, will no longer begin in his home community of Yuendumu. Key points: Family have requested the inquest into the death of Kumanjayi Walker no longer begin in his community He died after being fatally shot by Constable Zachary Rolfe in …

Family Community Death Walker Inquest Coroner Longer
The 'past conduct' of police officer Zachary Rolfe will be explored during coronial inquest into death of Kumanjayi Walker
2 years, 6 months ago

The 'past conduct' of police officer Zachary Rolfe will be explored during coronial inquest into death of Kumanjayi Walker

ABC  

The Northern Territory Coroner will look into the "past conduct" of Constable Zachary Rolfe and police responses to excessive force complaints in an inquest into the death of 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker, a court has heard. Key points: Kumanjayi Walker was fatally shot during an attempted arrest in 2019 Constable Zachary Rolfe was acquitted of murder after a five-week trial A …

Community Death Trial Court Walker Inquest Coroner
Northern Territory's ICAC announces investigation into Constable Zachary Rolfe's arrest over fatal shooting of Kumanjayi Walker
2 years, 8 months ago

Northern Territory's ICAC announces investigation into Constable Zachary Rolfe's arrest over fatal shooting of Kumanjayi Walker

ABC  

The Northern Territory's anti-corruption commissioner has announced he will investigate the decision to arrest and charge police officer Zachary Rolfe over the fatal shooting of Kumanjayi Walker in 2019. Key points: Constable Zachary Rolfe was acquitted of all charges over the shooting death of Kumanjayi Walker Constable Rolfe was charged with murder four days after the shooting There have been …

Shooting Investigation Political Interference Icac Nt Police Gunner Rolfe
Northern Territory Coroner acknowledges grief of Yuendumu community ahead of inquest into Kumanjayi Walker's death
2 years, 8 months ago

Northern Territory Coroner acknowledges grief of Yuendumu community ahead of inquest into Kumanjayi Walker's death

ABC  

The Acting Northern Territory Coroner has acknowledged the "grief and shock" felt by community members after the fatal shooting of Kumanjayi Walker, in the first hearing ahead of a coronial inquest into his death. Key points: A coronial inquest into the death of Kumanjayi Walker will be held in Central Australia from September 5 Mr Walker was shot by NT …

Death Walker Inquest His Death Coroner Mr Walker Nt Police
NT judge lifts suppression orders after Zachary Rolfe found not guilty over shooting death of Kumanjayi Walker
2 years, 9 months ago

NT judge lifts suppression orders after Zachary Rolfe found not guilty over shooting death of Kumanjayi Walker

ABC  

The Northern Territory Supreme Court has lifted all suppression orders in relation to Zachary Rolfe's murder trial, including some material the judge says may potentially damage the police officer's reputation. Key points: Media outlets, including the ABC, applied for the lifting of all suppression orders relating to Constable Rolfe's case Constable Rolfe's defence barrister argued against three matters being made …

Court Orders Judge Material Strickland Constable Text Messages
Zachary Rolfe trial reignites push for Northern Territory law reform
2 years, 9 months ago

Zachary Rolfe trial reignites push for Northern Territory law reform

ABC  

The spotlight on the Supreme Court murder trial of Northern Territory Police Officer Zachary Rolfe has reignited a push to reform Territory laws, including around the makeup of juries and the engagement of Indigenous Territorians with the justice system. The Northern Territory Law Reform Committee first recommended reforms to get more Indigenous Territorians on juries in 2013 More than one …

Law Community Trial Reform Indigenous Indigenous People Jury
The sadness of Kumanjayi Walker's family is a familiar sorrow for Aboriginal people
2 years, 9 months ago

The sadness of Kumanjayi Walker's family is a familiar sorrow for Aboriginal people

ABC  

The Supreme Court of the Northern Territory is a vast, cavernous structure held up by enormous white pillars on the curved edge of Australia's northern capital. At the trial's conclusion this week, after seven hours of deliberation, 12 jurors found Constable Zachary Rolfe not guilty of murdering Aboriginal man Kumanjayi Walker, who Rolfe shot during an attempted arrest in November …

Community Northern Nation Walker Aboriginal Northern Territory Our Young People
Jury retires in murder trial of NT police officer Zachary Rolfe over fatal shooting of Kumanjayi Walker
2 years, 9 months ago

Jury retires in murder trial of NT police officer Zachary Rolfe over fatal shooting of Kumanjayi Walker

ABC  

The jury in the murder trial of Northern Territory police officer Zachary Rolfe has retired to consider its verdict over the fatal shooting of Yuendumu man Kumanjayi Walker. Key points: Constable Rolfe has pleaded not guilty to murder as well as two alternative charges The officer shot 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker three times during an attempted arrest The jury has heard …

Murder Charge Burns Jury Officer Guilty Walker
Kumanjayi Walker murder trial is a rarity in NT for an Indigenous death in custody. Why has it taken so long?
4 years, 1 month ago

Kumanjayi Walker murder trial is a rarity in NT for an Indigenous death in custody. Why has it taken so long?

ABC  

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains names and images of deceased people. The Northern Territory court decision this week to commit Police Constable Zachary Rolfe to stand trial for the shooting death of 19-year-old Warlpiri man Kumanjayi Walker marks a historic moment in accountability for First Nations deaths in custody. It is the first time …

Death Murder Trial Deaths Court Custody Man